Friday, 17 February 2017

Dead To Begin With Book Review

Vicky Simmons is looking for the simple life. She’s ready to trade in London for a slower pace by opening a British Country Gift Shop in her old hometown on the coast of Maine. Little does she know a few old faces are back in Glen Cove, including unrequited teenage crush Michael Danning—having taken over the local Gazette and looking better than ever.

All is looking rosy until Vicky finds herself face-to-face with a dead body and Michael is the prime suspect. When the sheriff links the motive for murder to the unsolved disappearance of a teenage girl twenty years ago, Vicky must turn amateur sleuth. She’ll stop at nothing to save Michael…and unmask the real killer!

Review

Vivian Conroy is back with a new range of murder plots and I couldn't be more excited for her. Part one of her previous series, Lady Alkmene Cosy Mystery, has hit the bestseller list and I think she is already heading to a similar status with part one of her new series, Country Gift Shop Cosy Mystery.

Dead To Begin With is set in Maine, USA and sees Vicky battling with a terribly vindictive mother and a man from her past who looks like he's been framed for murder. Convinced that Michael didn't do it she takes on the challenge of going over the sheriff's head and tries to find the real killer before it's too late. Plus on top of all that she is refurbishing a hideous out of business beauty salon into a quaint British gift shop. Sounds great doesn't it?!

The fast moving storyline introduces a selection of tedious, devious and overwhelmingly enthusiastic characters who all feature in the main plot one way or another. Everyone is helpful and answers a lot of Vicky's questions whether they originally intend to or not. However, one of them is a killer twice over and can't be trusted. The only problem is finding out which resident it is.Arm in arm with Michael and her mum's favourite suitor, Emmett, Vicky explores the scenes that the latest victim touched though much to her concern Michael has a tendency to take the law into his own hands. The disregard for standard police procedure irritates Vicky but it does give them a head start on their investigation.All the elements are here for a great cosy mystery read and Conroy does not disappoint when it comes to revealing the killer. Although the climax of the situation is a little abrupt it is cleverly planned out and seamlessly brings the entire story to a satisfactory end. A smashing read for any cosy crime enthusiast, this is a great first part to the Country Gift Shop series.